Drydocks completes comprehensive overhaul of NDC crane vessel

Drydocks World has completed at its Dubai-based shipyard the repair and refurbishment of National Drilling Co.’s self-elevating crane vessel Al Ghweifat.

Feb 26th, 2014

Offshore staff

DUBAI, UAE – Drydocks World has completed at its Dubai-based shipyard the repair and refurbishment of National Drilling Co.’s self-elevating crane vessel Al Ghweifat.

The program on the 165 x 140 x 15-ft (50 x 42.6 x 4.6-m) vessel included extensive work on the three truss type 260-ft (79-m) long legs and spud cans, to allow the vessel to reach peak performance in 157 ft (48 m) of water.

Additionally, the yard did external inspection, blasting and painting of the legs, hull, deck, accommodation and tanks, and inspection, replacement, and painting of leg guides. Around 160 metric tons (176 tons) of steel were renewed. The 25-ft (7.6-m) diameter spud cans and pumping equipment were surveyed for maintenance.

A five-year inspection of two 70-metric ton (77-ton) side cranes resulted in modifications to install man riding. The Searex Omnilift 210-metric ton (231-ton) crane was dismantled, inspected, and overhauled.

Drydocks World also installed an aluminum helideck, designed to accommodate Bell 214/212 ST helicopters and approved by theAbu Dhabi Aviation Authority.

The existing firefighting system was modified to allow helicopter landing while afloat. Additional booster pumps were provided for the FiFi system and extra lines fabricated from sea chests to the new helideck.

Capacity of the submersible pumps and the size of hose reels were increased to suit the Standards of Offshore Helicopter Landing Areas, CAP437.

Finally, the accommodation was completely refurbished, air conditioning was repaired and upgraded, pipes were replaced, bow and stern thrusters overhauled, and tail shafts removed and re-aligned with gear boxes.

The shipyard built and manufactured the upper surface of the vessel comprising two decks (including radio room and bridge), senior level deck and all stair cases. An inclining experiment was performed while afloat on the sea.